The Westport Fire Department has donated used personal protective equipment — including coats, pants and boots — to Ukraine.
Fire marshal Nathaniel Gibbons organized the project. Yesterday he delivered the turnout gear, to be shipped to Ukrainian firefighters.
Gibbons says, “Firefighters support one another around the county and the world. The men and women of Ukraine fighting fire under war conditions reached out for our support- so we responded. We support them and their fight for freedom.”
Fire marshal Nathaniel Gibbons and Uliana Khovanets, liaison with Ukraine Post, with Westport Fire Department gear headed to Ukraine.
Fire Chief Michael Kronick adds, “Imagine trying to put out a fire without the proper equipment. There are raging fires in cities, forests and fields from the numerous bombing attacks, which firefighters work around the clock to put out. We know that our equipment will save lives, and help the firefighters.”
Gibbons thanks Westporter Mark Yurkiw. Fluent in Ukrainian, he expedited the communication and logistics necessary to get the gear directly to Ukraine Emergency Services.
The National Fire Protection Association specifies that structural turnout gear should be retired when the garment is beyond repair and no longer able to pass the NFPA test. Though the donated gear is past its technical expiration date for use in the US, it is clean, in serviceable condition, and ready to provide protection to Ukrainian firefighters.
How does Ukraine’s geography impact its history? What about its natural resources? Why is it fighting so fiercely for its independence, and why does Russia covet it so?
In other words: What do we need to know about Ukraine’s past, to understand what’s happening there today and tomorrow?
This Monday (May 9, 7 p.m., in-person and Zoom), we can all learn together.
The Westport Library hosts “Understanding Ukraine: Past, Present and Future.” Professor Walter Zaryckyj — director of the Center for US-Ukrainian Relations — will provide insights into this fascinating and important country that most of us know only through recent news reports and images.
It’s a great way to learn about the geography and history — long-ago and just-before-February — that most of us never learned or knew.
“06880” is a co-sponsor of the event. I’ll moderate the discussion, and lead a question-and-answer period at the end with Professor Zaryckyj.
Click here to register for a spot in the Library Forum. Click here for a Zoom link. Click here to learn more about Professor Zaryckyj.
Actually, any time is the perfect time for ice cream.
But the coming of spring also heralds the arrival of Gofer Ice Cream. Westport’s newest shop opens soon at 1240 Post Road East. It takes over the former Silver Ribbon location, near (among others) Fortuna’s, Greens Farms Spirit Shop, a vape store and COVID testing center.
Inklings — the Staples High School newspaper, which first reported the story — says that when Gofer opens this spring, it will feature premium hard and soft serve ice cream, plant-based and fat-free options, smoothies, cakes and more.
Gofer’s other locations include Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Ridgefield, Riverside, Stamford and Wilton.
What took Westport so long? What are we, chopped liver?
Yesterday’s “06880” story on Westport neighborhoods included this line about the “Private/Residents Only” sign on Saugatuck Island: “Fun fact: No other Westport neighborhood has an actual ‘entrance.'”
Ken Stamm sent along a photo showing another sign, a couple of miles away:
(Photo/Ken Stamm)
It’s not actually an “entrance” to Saugatuck — there’s no such thing — but it is certainly more welcoming than “Private/Residents Only.”
There’s only one problem: As Ken notes, the sign faces the I-95 on-ramp.
It should say, he writes, “Thanks for visiting Saugatuck!” Drivers who see it are those coming from Saugatuck, on their way out of the neighborhood.
Just a few hours after news leaked of a draft of the Supreme Court’s decision in a case challenging Roe v. Wade, several protestors headed to Westport’s political town square: the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge. A number of passing drivers honked horns in support.
‘Deb Noonan and Nancy Aldrich were among the protestors yesterday on the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge.(Photo/Bobbi Essagof)
Last week, Connecticut’s General Assembly passed a first-in-the-nation bill. It will protect medical providers and patients seeking abortion care here, who may travel from states that have outlawed abortion. It also expands the type of practitioners eligible to perform certain abortion-related care in Connecticut. Governor Lamont has said he will sign the bill.
Our town has plenty of art shows. One of the best is at the Westport Woman’s Club
This year’s event is May 21 and 22 (2 to 6 p.m.), at their 44 Imperial Avenue clubhouse.
Among the local artists there with their works: Ola Bossio, Trace Burroughs, Ann Chernow, Susan Fehlinger, Larry Gordon, Tom Kretsch, Arpad Krizsan, Paul Larson, Erzsebet Laurinyecz, Jena Maric, Jon Puzzuoli, Peter Savarine, Gay Schempp, Oksana Tanasiv and Larry Untermeyer.
There’s music by a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee (guess who!), and refreshments too. Proceeds support the Woman’s Club’s charitable work — now in its 115th year.
The Westport Woman’s Club opens its doors on May 21-22 for their annual art show.
Boys lacrosse gets plenty of press (and the Staples High School team is one of the best in the state). But what about girls lax?
Last Saturday was PAL Appreciation Night. Families of young players tailgated, then supported the high school varsity and JV girls teams against Trumbull, under the Paul Lane Stadium lights.
The PAL program’s mission is to create a fun, safe and respectful environment for girls to learn skills. The goal is to instill in players of all abilities a for the game, respect for teammates, personal responsibility, a healthy competitive spirit, an understanding of good sportsmanship and fun for everyone.
Teams are open to girls who live in or attend school in Westport. New players are welcome. No one is cut.
MyTeamTriumph — the great organization that pairs children, teens and adults with disabilities (“captains”) with volunteers (“angels”) who help them participate in triathlons and road races — invites everyone to a jewelry party fundraiser.
Allison Daniel/UpNorth CT hosts the social event-and-more on June 8 (4 to 7 p.m., Sconset Square). There are great designs, in a tremendous variety, at many price points, plus snacks, wine and fun.
Attendees receive a 10% discount on jewelry. A percentage of sales goes to myTreamTriumph-CT. Click here for ideas.
The Great Duck Race returns this year. But — just as ducks migrate — so does the popular Westport Sunrise Rotary fundraiser.
From 2008 to ’19, thousands of yellow ducks bobbed in the Saugatuck River. COVID forced it into a virtual format the past 2 years.
On July 9, the Great Duck Race will be run as a giant water sluice on Jesup Green. Tomorrow (Sunday, May 1), the Rotarians will see how it works as a duck race track. AJ Penna is providing a truck and front loader. Water comes from the Westport Fire Department.
Everyone is invited to watch tomorrow. “Ducks” in full costume will pose for photos.
Also on Jesup Green: The Westport Library Book Sale.
It opened yesterday, with the usual packed crowd. It continues today (Saturday, April 30) until 5 p.m. Tomorrow (Sunday, May 1, noon to 5 p.m.) all items are half price. On Monday (May 2, 9 a.m. to noon), fill a bag for $5, or purchase individual items for half-price.
The Westport Library Book Sale yesterday. (Photo/Dan Woog)
Kindness is always on the Porch menu. Everyone feels comfortable at the Cross Highway café.
Tomorrow through May 15, they’re running a “Kids Kindness Contest.” Everyone in grades K-12 is invited to share a story of how they are kind to friends, strangers or within the community.
The K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade winners each earn an ice cream social with 9 friends. The middle and high school winners each get a fun lunch with 3 friends.
Forms are available at the Porch, or by clicking here.
Want to surprise the woman in your life the day before Mothers Day?
Take her to “Supper & Soul” next Saturday (May 7).
It’s a great event, with lots of reasons she’ll be thrilled. The 8 p.m. concert — remember live concerts? — features Cris Jacobs. He’s back in Westport, after a searing show at the 2018 Blues Views & BBQ Festival. The opening act is Gnorm.
The show is at the Westport Library, where the new, state-of-the-art sound system will blow you away.
Tickets ($90) include a 3-course dinner at a downtown restaurant (6 p.m.; list below), including tax and tip (though drinks are on you). $40 concert-only tickets are available too.
Participating restaurants include:
190 Main
Amis
Arezzo
Basso
Capuli
De Tapas
Don Memo
Manna Toast
Spotted Horse
Wafu
Walrus Alley
And … after the show, your ticket is good for happy hour pricing on drinks at any of the participating restaurant. Try a different one than dinner!
Click here for tickets and more information. Click below to see Cris Jacobs. The event is sponsored by the Westport Weston Chamber of Commerce, and the Westport Library.
There may be no free lunch. But there was a free sapling giveaway yesterday.
Dozens of Westporters took advantage of the Arbor Day gift at Town Hall, courtesy of the Tree Board.
Residents Robert Sohmer and Debbie Fisher showed up — then offered to help. They’re shown in the photo below, as Tree Board members Alice Ely and Monica Buesser prep saplings.
Speaking of nature: Recent reports of the Fresh Market ospreys’ demise are premature.
Carolyn Doan reports: “All is well with the pair. They are incubating now, which means they sit very low in the nest and are impossible to see.
“They are really a really strong pair, and are co-parenting. They give each other breaks while one is in the incubating position. They call out to each other when one needs a break or is hungry.
“Yesterday I watched the female sit at the top of a dead tree behind Terrain. and preen herself for 45 minutes. After faint calls from the nest, she went back. Then the male popped up. He went to a nearby perch and preened.
“The ospreys returned a week early this year, so chicks may come sooner than usual.”
A Fresh Market osprey, yesterday afternoon. (Photo/Carolyn Doan)
29 Staples High School students and 6 adults returned recently from 10 days in Spain. It was the first overseas trip for a large group in a decade.
The packed itinerary included visits to Granada, Cordoba, Seville, Madrid and Barcelona. Highlights included Alhambra, scavenger hunts in cities, an olive farm, guided city tours, a flamenco lesson and show, the Prado Museum, a churro breakfast and cooking class, Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, a Good Friday religious procession, and the first women’s soccer match ever played at Camp Nou — with a crowd of 91,000.
Future trips planned by Staples’ World Language Department include Germany next spring, and a February journey to Panama focusing on STEM topics.
Cheering for the Barcelona women’s team at Camp Nou.
Services have been announced for Charlie Capalbo. The former Fairfield Ludlowe High hockey player battled 4 cancers before succumbing last week, one month before his 24th birthday. He is the grandson of Westporters Richard Epstein and Ina Chadwick; his mother Jennifer Wilde Capalbo is a Staples High grad.
Charlie’s wake is Wednesday, May 4 (2 to 8 p.m., Penfield Pavilion, 323 Fairfield Beach Road, Fairfield). A funeral mass is set for Thursday, May 5 (10 a.m., St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield). Burial will be private.
Today’s New York Times carries one of its most harrowing stories ever on the war in Ukraine. It begins:
The wind carried the smell of death across the street. The body of the dead man, burned, mutilated and barely recognizable, was taken from the refrigerator and laid on a metal gurney. The coroner smoked a cigarette and unzipped the black bag.
It was a beautiful spring day. There had been no shelling that morning. And Oksana Pokhodenko, 34, gasped, blinking, at the charred corpse. That was not her brother, she told herself, that was not Oleksandr. That was barely a human.
Her brother lived once. The family patriarch for 20 years since their father died, he called his sister every day after the war started as he fled with his family to a village, Husarivka, wedged between rolling wheat fields. He kept calling — “Hello, Little One. We’re good. How are you?” — but never mentioned that the Russians had overrun the village where he was hiding.
Ms. Pokhodenko, in black jeans, a black jacket and barely laced sneakers, struggled to keep looking at the body. Her brother had taught her how to ride a bike and had loved to watch cartoons for hours with his son. To his sister, he was a “stone wall.” This was a charred husk. Half of the man’s skull was gone, and his chest cavity was splayed open.
The photos are as chilling as the writing. They’re all by Tyler Hicks, the 1988 Staples High School graduate and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. Click here for the full story, and Tyler’s images.
Some of Tyler Hicks’ latest photos, illustrating atrocities in committed in Ukraine. (Photos/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
And finally … on this day in 1803, the US purchased the Louisiana Territory from France. We spent $15 million — and more than doubled the size of our nation.
I am a Ukrainian, American, Odessian and Westporter, all at the same time. This is my story.
My family left our home in Odessa and came to United States about 2 years ago. Back in Ukraine my husband had an office job as a tariff broker. I was raising our 2 sons, preparing to return to my career in telecommunications.
We thought we had a good life, but we also had a feel it could be over. It was scary to leave all behind and come to the US, but we did it for our boys, for the future, for a better life. We embraced the American dream so many seek.
Olga and her sons.
We arrived in the US in the middle of the COVID pandemic with no language, jobs, or home of our own. Even though it has not been an easy journey, we were incredibly grateful to begin a new life in such a diverse and compassionate community as Westport.
Olgla and her husband, in the US.
Within a week my husband joined a construction crew, even though he had no idea how to handle tools. I have been helping our boys with the cultural transition and learning English. Not long ago, I began babysitting to contribute to our family income.
As challenging as it has been for us, we struggled to accept that our home, Ukraine, would be engulfed in war soon after our departure. Our families have been forced to leave their homes and communities, and lost all sense of safety and security. Their children live in constant fear and confusion. We have been trying to help them any way we could.
As if navigating these events weren’t enough, on April 23 we found ourselves staring at our own home in Odessa being televised on fire, and posted on every social media platform. It was destroyed when an errant missile slammed into the side of our apartment building.
One view of the bombed apartment building in Odessa …
You may have seen the news that a little baby girl and her family died in that building. They were our neighbors.
More people died who the news did not cover. Even more are out of their homes. Close to 200 people don’t have a place to live.
… and another.
Our hearts are breaking for our neighbors whose lives were lost or changed, and for the reality of homelessness for our nephew and his girlfriend who miraculously escaped.
We consider ourselves lucky to be here and alive, and desperately want to help in any way we can. But we have very limited resources. With humility, we ask you to please consider donating anything you can. This money will go directly to the families of the victims, and toward rebuilding a place we used to call our home.
Posted onApril 28, 2022|Comments Off on Westporter Seeks Medical Help For Ukraine
Like many Westporters, Tatyana Hixson is horrified by the images and stories from Ukraine.
Soldiers and civilians of all ages have been injured — many severely — and need specialized care.
Tatyana is trying to do something about it. She’s got a business background, and is helping in a niche area: medical equipment.
For many years, she says, Big Dream Children’s Foundation helped Ukrainian children with disabilities. She is a good friend of co-founder Lena McMahan.
When the war began, the non-profit began supplying humanitarian and medical aid to anyone needing assistance. They’ve already found negative pressure wound machines, and sent them to Dnipro Medical Center.
But much more needs to be done.
Tatyana hopes to locate medical equipment like this:
External fixators, especially guided ones like Ilizarov Apparatus or Taylor Spatial Frame
LCP plates and Intramedullary nails (Interlocking and Elastic [TEN]) to treat fractures
Traction tables for operating rooms
Construction and equipment for spinal surgery
Cell saver for intraoperative blood salvage
I don’t know what any of that means. But there must be “06880” readers who do — or know someone with connections who does
The “06880” tagline is “Where Westport meets the world.” To help prove it, email Tatyana: kedr27@gmail.com.
17-year-old Mikhail suffered blast wounds to his lower extremities while driving a truck during the war. He relies on specialized medical equipment to recover.
Comments Off on Westporter Seeks Medical Help For Ukraine
The other day, 1st Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker, Congressman Jim Himes and Senator Richard Blumenthal took a boat tour of the Saugatuck River. They surveyed conditions, and announced $2.81 million in federal funding for proposed dredging.
Police Chief Foti Koskinas and Public Works director Peter Ratkiewich were on board too.
Tooker calls the river “one of Westport’s greatest assets. Westport is fortunate that this long-needed project is on the near horizon. For years, the sediment coming down the river has caused shoaling of the federal channel, and has diminished the multi-use capacity of the river.
“With funding now earmarked for this important dredging program, the outlook for downtown, the Saugatuck neighborhoods and the river shoreline is positive and vibrant for our businesses and our residents.“
Ratkiewich adds, “the dredging project will increase recreational opportunities on the river, allow for maritime connectivity between downtown and Saugatuck, and most importantly will enhance the ability of our emergency services to respond to emergencies that happen on or near the river.”
From left: Police Chief Foti Koskinas, Public Works director Pete Ratkiewich, 1st Selectman Jen Tooker and Congressman Jim Himes on the Saugatuck River. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Himes’ office)
Sustainable Westport, the Zero Waste Committees of all Westport schools and ZenWTR join together to sponsor a community Compo Beach cleanup this Saturday (April 30, noon to 2 p.m.).
Everyone is invited to help. Meet at the pavilion by the volleyball court and playground.
As reported last week, Lynsey Addario is back in Ukraine.
The 1991 Staples High School graduate — and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, and MacArthur “genius grant” fellow — captured grim scenes of Orthodox Easter services yesterday along the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region.
“Hopes for a cease-fire over the holiday weekend were quickly dashed,” the Times reported, “as Russian artillery fire and missiles continued to strike Ukrainian infrastructure, government buildings and residential homes.”
(Photo/Lynsey Addario for The New York Times)
Her fellow Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner — and Staples ’88 grad — Tyler Hicks has been in the embattled nation all along.
Today his photos illustrated a story about 12 people who have chosen to stay in the basement of a shattered school building. Click here for the piece.
The view from a bombed-out apartment in Saltivka, one of Kharkiv’s most brutalized neighborhoods. (Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
Posted onApril 25, 2022|Comments Off on Ukraine 101: Learn Together At The Library
Since February, we’ve all been consumed by news from Ukraine. We follow military action closely; we read media accounts of refugees, and see photos and video of cities, villages and the Ukrainian people.
But many of us have only a vague knowledge of the country itself. What is its history, from the Middle Ages and the “Kievan Rus,” through 600 more years of rule by the Austrian Empire, Ottoman Empire and Russian tsars? How did it become part of the Soviet Union in 1922, and what happened during the horrors of World War II? When the USSR collapsed in 1991, how did Ukraine transition to independence? We know that President Zelensky is Jewish, and a former comedian. But what was his path to office?
How does Ukraine’s geography impact its history? What about its natural resources? Why is it fighting so fiercely for its independence, and why does Russia covet it so?
In other words: What do we need to know about Ukraine’s past, to understand what’s happening there today and tomorrow?
On Monday, May 9 (7 p.m., in-person and Zoom), we can all learn together.
The Westport Library hosts “Understanding Ukraine: Past, Present and Future.” Professor Wolodymyr Zaryckyj — director of the Center for US-Ukrainian Relations — will provide insights into this fascinating and important country that most of us know only through recent news reports and images.
It’s a great way to learn about the geography and history — long-ago and just-before-February — that most of us never learned or knew.
“06880” is a co-sponsor of the event. I’ll moderate the discussion, and lead a question-and-answer period at the end with Professor Zaryckyj.
Click here to register for a spot in the Library Forum. Click here for a Zoom link. Click here to learn more about Professor Zaryckyj.
What role has geography played in Ukraine’s history? We’ll learn together on May 9.
Comments Off on Ukraine 101: Learn Together At The Library
First came Willowbrook Cemetery’s “Miracle Mile.” Then came Debra Kandrak’s town-wide planting project. Now, Westport has become the Daffodil Capital of — if not the world — at least the area.
Among the yellow beauties bringing joy to us all: 7,000 lining Prospect Road.
These were planted, thanks to Debra, to remind everyone about the issue of bullying. It’s just not cool — for victim or the bullies themselves.
Cindy Shumate — who had both a literal and figurative hand in the projects — says that anyone who has suffered from bullying, or knows a person who has, is welcome to clip a bouquet for themselves.
(Please take them only from the roadway in front of #11, 13, 21 and 25 Prospect Road, owned by Melissa and John Ceriale).
“It’s a small token to let someone know that they are safe with you, and to open a conversation if that someone is ready,” Cindy says.
Prospect Road connects Hillspoint Road with Greens Farms Road. It’s worth a drive even without clipping a daffodil bouquet!
As the Russian war in Ukraine grinds on, Tyler Hicks’ photos continue to illustrate the gruesome state of life and death there.
The 1991 Staples High School graduate’s latest work in the New York Times is from the village of Husarivka. The Pulitzer Prize winning photographer’s images illustrate a story about the depravity of Russian soldiers, as they harass, terrorize and kill farmers and their family members. Click here for the full story, and photos.
Lubov Dvoretska, 62, a biology teacher whose husband was killed in a bombing. Her neighbors buried his body in the garden behind their house. (Photo/Tyler Hicks for the New York Times)
Emil Gilmutdinov was born in Russia. He moved to New York in 2009. He worked in the food and beverage industry for nearly a decade, but lost his job during the pandemic.
That’s when he rediscovered his passion for drawing and painting. A self-taught artist working with both pencil and oil paint, he constantly experiments and hones his skills. His work includes both black-and-white graphic prints, and oils reflecting nature.
His first-ever solo exhibition is set for Steam, the coffee spot across from the Westport train station on Railroad Place. There’s an opening reception tonight (Monday, April 18, 6 to 9 p.m.).
Emil’s work is on display at Steam, for purchase, through June 12.
Anna Ustin and her husband Dima moved to Westport from Manhattan during COVID.
Unlike many new residents, they did not have young kids needing more space. Both work in finance — she’s at Morgan Stanley, he’s at Citibank — and both are finishing up master’s degrees. They came here planning to start a family.
Anna and Dima Ustin.
They have not done that yet. But these days their house is filled. Dima’s mother, brother and sister-in-law, and their 2 children fled Ukraine for Westport last month.
Their story is harrowing. Their future is hopeful.
Anna was born in Kazakhstan, raised in Russia, and studied in China. She came to the US in 2010.
Dima was born in Kyiv, and arrived in the States in 2015. The couple met and were married in New York.
They followed Russia’s menacing moves in Ukraine closely, but did not think an invasion would happen. When it did in late February, they urged their relatives to move as quickly as possible to the Polish border.
Dima’s mother Hope had been a kindergarten principal. His brother Alex was a congressman’s aide; Sasha’s wife Olena owned a cafe, and their 8-year-old daughter Neva was a high-level gymnast. Their son Lev is 6.
Dima’s sister-in-law, nephew and niece, during happier times in Kyiv.
The trip to Poland should have taken 8 to 10 hours. With gas shortages and other issues, it took 5 days.
Passing time on the bus.
After 2 days sitting on a bus at the border, the family decided to walk the last few miles.
Walking the final miles to Poland.
Alex headed back east, to Lviv. The others took another bus to Warsaw, where Anna — working online from Westport — had rented an Airbnb apartment.
They applied for a US tourist visa — the only type available in Warsaw — but were denied. Anna researched the best way to get them into the country through Canada, but that country had no program for Ukrainian refugees.
Anna turned to the next option: Mexico.
Through friends of friends, she found people in Mexico City. Anna arranged for a flight from Warsaw, and asked her new contacts to meet her relatives at the airport. The next day, they boarded a flight — also arranged by Anna — to Tijuana.
Meanwhile, Anna interviewed 35 lawyers in San Diego who could help. Few knew what to do. She hired 2 who did.
One knew an immigration officer at the San Ysidro border crossing. He made an appointment to see the family there.
In Tijuana — again through friends of friends — Anna found a driver to take them to the pedestrian crossing. That was important: “Coyotes” who transport people there charge up to $5,000, and are not always safe or reliable.
The driver showed Mexican officials a printout of the family’s appointment. That helped the them through Mexican control, onto US soil.
Anna and Dima flew to San Diego. They were constantly on the phone to their relatives — until American officials took the phone. They underwent 3 interviews, with 3 separate US immigration officers, then spent 26 hours in a cell with 10 other people.
Finally, the family was released to Jewish Family Services, which tested them for COVID. After 24 hours — in a nice hotel by the water — they met up with Anna and Dima.
They flew back to JFK on March 20th. Which leads to a whole other story.
After saying goodbye to his family, Alex — Dima’s brother — had driven back and forth, helping evacuate Ukrainian women and children to Poland. But when he was told that he had to fight in the besieged city of Mariupol, he headed to Romania.
Alex, at the Polish border.
Alex walked 18 miles through mountains. He was nearly frostbitten and injured his toes, but eventually boarded a train to Budapest, Hungary. Anna got him a ticket to New York.
Miraculously, he arrived at JFK at almost the same moment as his family on the flight from San Diego. They had a surprise — and very emotional — reunion at the airport.
For a month, they’ve all lived together at Anna and Dima’s house. Hope sleeps in the guest room, with her grandchildren. Alex and his wife have taken over what was a home office.
The youngsters were quickly enrolled at Coleytown Elementary School. “I can’t even describe how welcoming everyone is,” Anna says.
“Janna (Sirowich, the principal) brought 20 bags of clothing and gift cards. On the first day she rode the bus with them, so they wouldn’t feel overwhelmed. I’ve never seen a school like this.”
Settling in at Coleytown Elementary School.
Neva had learned a bit of English at her school in Kyiv. Lev knows no English, and has a tougher time. Both have been swimming at the Westport Weston Family YMCA.
The family, who is Jewish, also spends time at Beth Israel Chabad in Norwalk.
Anna’s relatives are looking for jobs. Olena is working as a nanny in New York. She does not drive, but plans to learn. Her English is rusty, but she hopes to go back to school, for a degree in technology.
Alex speaks a little English. He studying for the TOEFL exam. He has a degree in physical therapy, and would like to become a nurse’s assistant.
When they can afford to, they hope to find somewhere to live on their own.
“It’s all been overwhelming,” Anna says. “Everything is new. They have no place of their own to relax.”
But — amazingly — they have made the long, dangerous, twisting journey from Kyiv to Westport. There are no missiles or bombs.
Since 2004, CLASP Homes’ “Taste of Westport” has been one of the most popular — and definitely tastiest — fundraiser around.
Except the last 2 years.
COVID knocked the event — an evening unlimited eating and drinking from an impressive list of local establishments, plus live music, and a silent auction — off the table.
Now it’s back: June 15, at the Inn at Longshore.
Tickets went on sale yesterday. They’re $100 now; $125 after June 1. Click here to purchase.
100% of the proceeds benefit CLASP’s residents and programs. The non-profit provides homes, opportunities and personalized services for people with autism and developmental disabilities.
Alexander Tobey is just about to turn 8 years old. But during spring break, the Weston youngster wanted to help children in Ukraine.
This past Monday he made small Ukrainian flags fashioned from paper and toothpicks, to offer for donations. He soon expanded to shields, and renderings of the country’s shape.
On Tuesday he did a little Google research, and found that UNICEF could deliver the right assistance. On Wednesday morning he set up by the Parker Harding Starbucks — the same spot where he has stopped to help people collecting for other causes.
Alexander was amazed by people’s support, and willingness to leave their “gift” for the next donor. It took just 90 minutes to sell out his flag stock. With family donations and matches, Alexander will donate over $1,500 to UNICEF.
His parents Miriam Zalcman and Dave Tobey thank all who stopped by Alexander’s makeshift table. Their generosity made a lasting impression on him — and his work will make a difference to children thousands of miles away.
Longtime Westport resident — and grandson of the founders of the Arrow Restaurant — Lester Frank Bottone Jr died last week in Hollywood, Florida, from complications of a severe stroke. He was 80 years old.
Lester was a true son of Saugatuck. His maternal grandparents, Giovanna and Frank Nistico, started the famous restaurant in the neighborhood. He worked as a youth.
Lester started his career in construction working alongside his father, Lester Bottone Sr. He built many homes in the community, including his own which he lived in until his death.
He later spent 34 years as a firefighter and first responder.
Lester loved racing of all sorts – including MotoGP, Formula 1 and bicycling, especially the Tour de France – and fast cars. He built a Shelby Cobra and several race cars, which he entered in hill-climb competitions on the East Coast.
He later started riding and rebuilding motorcycles, and began woodcarving. He stayed fit, loved working in his shop, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Lester is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helena; daughter Lisa and her wife Carolyn; son Timothy and his wife Kim, and grandchildren, Emily, Alison and Katherine.
A gathering of remembrance and memorial service will be held next Saturday (April 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Harding Funeral Home).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Westport Professional Firefighters Association, 515 Post Road East, Westport, CT 06880 or Save Old Saugatuck.
Lifelong Westport resident Jennie McCarthy died Thursday, surrounded by her family. She was 94 years old. , beloved wife for over 68 years of Bob McCarthy, passed away on April 14, 2022 surrounded by her devoted family.
Jennie wore many hats in her rich life, including working with Embalmers Supply and the Westport Board of Education, and co-owning a deli with her sister Margaret.
Her most cherished role was creating a loving home for her family. In addition to Bob, her husband of 68 years, she is survived by her children Kevin (Beth) of Westport, Brian (Lena) of Fairfield, Kathy Sabitsky (Stan) of Milford, and Brennan McCarthy (Jenny) of Westport; grandchildren Justin, Sarah, Kaitlin, Josh, Matt, Nick, Zach, Jack and Charlie, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday (April 20 10 a.m., Church of the Assumption). Burial will follow at Willowbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
And finally … the torch has been passed to a new generation.
In the breathtaking video below, the singers all have famous fathers. The young man with the glasses is Plácido Domingo’s son. The middle one is Andrea Bocelli’s; on the right is Luciano Pavarotti’s son.
In a world filled with trouble, these “sons” shine brightly indeed. (Hat tip: Chuck Greenlee)
Click here to help support “06880” via credit card or PayPal. Any amount is welcome, appreciated — and tax-deductible! Reader contributions keep this blog going. (Alternate methods: Please send a check to “06880”: PO Box 744, Westport, CT 06881. Or use Venmo: @blog06880. Or Zelle: dwoog@optonline.net. Thanks!)
GET THE “06880” APP
The “06880” app (search for it on the Apple or Android store) is the easiest way to get “06880.” Choose notifications: whenever a new post is published, or once or twice a day. Click here for details.
For many years, she says, 
